Private Echizen Washi Paper Making Experience and Walking Tour

• • Hoyu NishiyamaSOE Tour Guide

    “I love Fukui's mountains, hot springs, people, and sake.
    Born in Gunma Prefecture in 1989.After working as a caregiver, she moved to Sabae City when she got married. She also belongs to the "RENEW" secretariat.

Recommended points

• 01
  Many surprises await for you in town
  Giant torii gates, wooden architecture, and the sights of everyday life
• 02
  First, a visit to the Yanase Ryozo Paper Mill, where small washi paper is made
  Even within Echizen washi it can only be found here
  Experience making rakusui paper and workshop tour
• 03
  Passing through the old streets where you can take in the scent of Japanese paper to
  Osada Washi where larger washi paper are made
• 04
  It is hard to believe that they are made by hand
  Huge Japanese paper with various textures are lined up
• 05
  To wrap up the trip,
  A visit to Otaki Shrine and Okamoto Shrine, where the god of paper is enshrined
  The area has a calm and soothing atmosphere.
• 06
  The intricate roof and carvings are a masterpiece
  An important place related to the history of Echizen Washi

About the Tour

• Highlights
• Tour Contents
• Detailed information

• Highlights

  
  Imadate is a town of Echizen Japanese paper with a history of 1500 years. It is said that Echizen Washi originated long ago when a beautiful woman came down from the mountains and taught the villagers how to make Japanese paper.

   

  On this tour, you will walk around Imadate and visit two Japanese paper making workshops, Ryozo Yanase Paper Mill and Osada Washi.

  

  At Ryozo Yanase Paper Mill, 3rd generation traditional craftswoman Ms. Kyoko Yanase is active. A Japanese paper making workshop that mainly produces wrapping paper, some are which used in Japanese confectionery shops. In order to spread the knowledge about Echizen washi, Yanase Ryozo Paper Mill accepts guests to experience making washi paper and visit the workshop.

  

  OSADA WASHI is a Japanese paper making studio with a history of over 100 years. While specializing in making large-sized Japanese paper, they also create original products such as Japanese paper decorations and accessories that you would want to use in your daily life. In addition to the Japanese paper production site, you can also see Japanese paper accessories made at OSADA WASHI in the quaint shop on the premises.

• Tour Contents

  

  The large torii gate at the entrance of Imadate is an eye-catching photo spot. One of the pleasures of the tour is finding your own favorite points while walking around the city, such as the historic townscape or the mountains covered with fog on rainy days.

  

  First, we will guide you to the Yanase Ryozo Paper Mill, a Japanese paper making workshop. The small workshop produces hand-made Japanese paper called kogami, which is also used for wrapping Japanese sweets. During the tour, you can see the molds used in the technique called mold rakusui paper at the workshop, and experience making Japanese paper with the mold rakusui technique. (Depending on the day, we may not be able to tour the workshop, and in that case we may use a video to explain the usual state of affairs.)

  

  After the papermaking experience, let's take a look at the Echizen washi specialty shop "RYOZO" attached to the workshop. "In order to continue as a production area, I want people to know about the various washi papermaking workshops in this production area." With this in mind, RYOZO has a variety of washi accessories from the washi papermaking workshops in the production area in addition to its own products. If there is something you are interested in, feel free to ask Ms. Yanase what workshop it was made in.

  

  After visiting Ryozo Yanase Paper Mill, we will walk to OSADA WASHI. The retro workshop is one where craftsmen have been making Japanese paper for generations. At the workshop, you can hear directly from the craftsmen about the raw materials of washi, the role of machines, and washi made by various methods.

  

  After the tour, we will visit the attached shop. Completely opposite from a workshop that makes large Japanese paper, cute Japanese paper accessories that are popular with women are lined up within the store. There are also a wide variety of items such as business card holders, torinoko notebooks, and stamp books made from Japanese paper. You may be able to come across a particular item that catches your eye with its unisex design.

  

  After leaving OSADA WASHI, we will head to the last destination.
  Our last visit is to Okamoto Shrine and Otaki Shrine. Kawakami Gozen, the one who is said to have taught the people how to make washi and is considered Japan's only washi god, is enshrined here. The shrine has a complex four-tiered cypress bark roof and has been designated as a national important cultural property and is an impressive building.

  That's it for the tour. At the end, we will take a commemorative photo.

  Travel to Imadate, the town watched over by the god of Japanese paper, and experience the techniques and thoughts of craftsmen. Why don't you give the production area of ​​Echizen Washi a visit?

• Detailed information

  • Tour Details

    code:CIT1002
    Time required: about 3 hours
    Minimum number of participants: 2 people
    Maximum number of people: 4 people
    Tour conductor: Yes.A local guide will guide you.

  • Meeting place

    Meeting place	Echizen Washi no Sato Udatsu Craft Museum 〒915-0232 9-21-2 Shinzaikecho, Echizen City, Fukui Prefecture
    Access	If you come by car About 10 minutes by car from Hokuriku Expressway Takefu Interchange By train 25 minutes by bus from Takefu Station
    Parking	Available

    View on Google map

  • Scheduled date

    Weekdays (Monday to Friday)
    ・Morning session 9:30~
    ・Afternoon 14:00~

    This tour is on a request basis.
    After confirming the purchase, we will ask you about 3 possible dates and make adjustments.

  • Course content

    1) Meet at Echizen Washi no Sato Udatsu Craft Center
    2) Tour orientation
    3) Walk to Yanase Ryozo Paper Mill
    4) Yanase Ryozo Paper Factory Tour & Washi Making Experience
    5) Shop tour of Ryozo Yanase Paper Mill
    6) Walk to OSADA WASHI while enjoying the townscape
    7) Factory tour of OSADA WASHI
    8) Shop tour of OSADA WASHI
    9) Visit Okamoto Shrine and Otaki Shrine

  • Included

    ・Okato Shrine/Otaki Shrine Goshuin (including donation fee)
    ・Factory tour fee
    ・Workshop experience fee
    ・Guide fee
    　*Transportation is not included.

  • Cancellation Policy

    ・Cancellation from 3 day ~ day prior of the tour date: 50% of the tour price refunded
    ・Cancellation on the day or non-participation without contact ・Cancellation after the start: No refund
    　* If it becomes difficult to participate on the day before or on the day of the experience, please contact the following experience directly.
    　　Contact: SOE TEL 0778-78-9967

  • Precautions

    ・We may guide you together with people from other groups.
    ・Yanase Ryozo Paper Mill may not be able to tour the workshop depending on the day, and in that case, we may use a video to explain the usual state of affairs.
    ・Because the factory is run by a small number of people, not all papermaking processes are performed every day.
    ・There is no air conditioning in the factory. Summer is hot, so please bring a towel, etc., and winter is cold, so please come in warm clothes. ・Some parts of the factory are slippery due to wet conditions. Please refrain from wearing high-heeled shoes, sandals, and platform shoes.
    ・Smoking is prohibited on the factory premises.
    ・Photography is allowed, but commercial use is prohibited.
    ・Children under the age of 6 and children under the age of 12 who are not accompanied by a guardian should refrain from visiting the factory.
    ・If you touch any machines without permission, you may be injured. Please act according to the staff's instructions.
    ・We are not responsible for any accidents, injuries, etc. in the factory caused by the customer.
    -On the day of the event, please wear shoes that are easy to walk in and clothes that are easy to move in.

  • Inquiry

    General Incorporated Association SOE
    Tel: 0778-78-9967
    mail: info@soe.or.jp